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This doesn't belong here, but I thought it would be fun to show it anyway:"Almost" a Vizner whirlpool vase, 24.5 cm high.

I thought it looked quite wonky when I spotted it, and imagine my surprise when I turned it around and saw a big and perfect polished pontil mark and a Jindra Beranek signature.I never knew that he made things like this one; so far I have only seen his 1950s-organic-Skrdlovice-inspired pieces.Still a nice vase...

In >> this thread is some more info by Robert and Jindrich about Jindra Beranek's work in Austria.I have read that he worked for Lobmeyr from around 1974/75, and opened his own studio in Bad Tatzmannsdorf in 1976, but don't know how long he continued to make glass there...

Hi all. Fascinating vase. I do not know what to say about this except it is a Vizner design for Skrdlovice that Jindirch must have copied for amusement or profit, or an exhibition or something. The technology to create it had been evolved by Jan Beranek and Vizner. It is a real surprise to see this design having a Jindrich style signature and polished pontil rod mark. I understand that things were not always smooth between the Beraneks. This vase is a slight mystery. I have seen one other Vizner vase with a polished pontil rod mark, being sold in CZ, unsigned. I did hear that Jindrich Beranek was still alive in Vienna.... very interesting......

Michael, thank you for the link. I forgot that Jindra Beranek had been discussed previously. I've bookmarked it now for future reference. And Robert, thank you for the additional information. Who needs soap operas when we've got the intriguing world of glass.

As I said, it came as quite a surprise to me as well that Jindra Beranek made a piece like this (though I have seen quite a lot of pieces by him during the past years, and several of them were copies of -- or inspired by -- Emanuel Beranek shapes, but none of later Skrdlovice patterns so far).The base finish and signature are very typical for him, so I have no doubt about it being a "real" Jindra Beranek

If on purpose or not, the shape towards the top is not as perfect as in Skrdlovice Vizner vases, and neither are the swirling air bubbles as nicely executed (I guess it is far from easy -- even for an experienced glass maker -- to produce such a piece).Though a very attractive vase, I would have prefered if it was a little bit more Jindra and less Vizner (shape, colours...)

The plate is very beautiful indeed, but I have no idea how (or where) to display it -- absolutely no space to display it "flat", and much too heavy to hang it...I hadn't condsidered that the signature could be the original owner's name; it is not the name of the previous owner I bought it from, who thought it was studio glass by a Mr. "O. Lipton".